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CHICAGO — Amtrak trains on several routes have been cancelled after the company removed its fleet of Horizon passenger cars from service because of concerns over corrosion, raising the possibility of long-term service disruptions.
In a statement issued at 9 a.m. today (March 26, 2025), the company said, “We discovered corrosion in several Horizon railcars and, while working with the manufacturer, decided to remove the equipment from service after learning of additional areas of concern from intensive inspections of multiple cars. The removal of this equipment from service will affect services on several routes: Downeaster, Hiawatha, Borealis, and Amtrak Cascades. Some trains, such as the Downeaster, will operate with fewer cars, while other services will be provided substitute transportation until a long-term plan is developed.”
SERVICE ALERT: Bus service only on most Amtrak Cascades routes following Amtrak's decision to pull all Horizon trainsets
Amtrak has determined its fleet of Horizon trainsets will immediately be taken out of service, due to identified concerns with this aging equipment. A total of 70 passenger cars across the country are affected, including 26 cars on the Amtrak Cascades route.
This leaves just one non-Horizon trainset in service on Amtrak Cascades. This affects nearly all trips on Amtrak Cascades daily service to 18 stations between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon. In the short-term, buses have been secured through March 30 to transport passengers to their destinations. The only trips that will be served by the one remaining non-Horizon train are #503 and #508 traveling daily between Seattle and Eugene.
Amtrak is determining how to replace the grounded Horizon trains by redistributing other trains in its national fleet. Amtrak will notify the states of Washington and Oregon as soon as a plan is in place to move replacement trains to the Pacific Northwest.
Effective Immediately
In compliance with federal requirements and its ongoing commitment to safety, Amtrak routinely inspects its railcars and locomotives. Corrosion was discovered in several Horizon railcars, which resulted in the removal of some equipment from service on the Amtrak Cascades route, as outlined below.
Intensive inspections showed additional areas of concern, resulting in the removal of cars from service on most of the Amtrak Cascades route.
Until further notice, buses have been chartered as substitute transportation for most scheduled trains.
Bicycle reservations will be honored on the buses.
Business Class passengers will be provided refunds for the cost difference from Coach Class, as the buses do not support Business Class.
Effective Immediately
In compliance with federal requirements and its ongoing commitment to safety, Amtrak routinely inspects its railcars and locomotives. Corrosion was discovered in several Horizon railcars, which resulted in the removal of some equipment typically used on Borealis trains, as outlined below.
Intensive inspections showed additional areas of concern, resulting in the removal of cars from service on Amtrak Borealis trains.
Buses were chartered as substitute transportation for Trains 1333 (north/westbound) and 1340 (east/southbound) on Wednesday, March 26, and for Train 1340 only on Thursday, March 27. Train 1333 will operate without the need for bus substitution on March 27.
Service by Borealis Trains 1333 and 1340 will be restored without bus substitutions, effective Friday, March 28.
Business Class passengers will be provided refunds for the cost difference from Coach Class, as railcars now operating on Borealis trains do not support Business Class.
Effective Immediately
In compliance with federal requirements and its ongoing commitment to safety, Amtrak routinely inspects its railcars and locomotives. Corrosion was discovered in several Horizon railcars, which resulted in the removal of some equipment from service on the Amtrak Hiawatha route, as outlined below.
Intensive inspections showed additional areas of concern, resulting in the removal of cars from service on some Amtrak Hiawatha trains.
Until further notice, buses have been chartered as substitute transportation for approximately half of the service frequencies.
Other Amtrak Hiawatha frequencies use different railcars and are unaffected.
Given the widespread nature of the problem, the seriousness of the issue and the fact that no reasonable repair option exists for these cars, industry insiders are speculating that the Horizon Cars will never return to Amtrak service.
